Theories of Power, Boundary Spanning and the Impact of Technology: A Japanese Company in China

Abstract

This case study examined how a Chinese Japanese manufacturing company’s communication problem between departments and the failure of the Corporate Information Systems (CIS), such as the ERP SAP or APQP, were eased through the implementation of social media. Data was collected from top Chinese management team. Social media is, in fact, perceived to provide a higher level of support than CIS for boundary spanners, supporting the theory of power within Bourdieu’s practice theory. This research offers practical implications to enhance a corporate informational infrastructure that not only combines social media and corporate information systems, but, spans the entire enterprise communication needs. Findings suggest that the social media WeChat was perceived to be the preferred technological support for all types of boundary spanners activities.